'''Nerdanel''' was the daughter of the [[Noldor|Noldorin]] smith [[Mahtan]] and the wife of [[Fëanor]].

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'''Nerdanel''' ([[Quenya|Q]], pron. {{IPA|[ˈnerdanel]}}) was the daughter of the [[Noldor|Noldorin]] smith [[Mahtan]] and the wife of [[Fëanor]]. Nerdanel was a noted sculptor. She is said to have made statues so lifelike that people thought them real.

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She bore Fëanor seven sons: [[Maedhros]], [[Maglor]], [[Celegorm]], [[Caranthir]], [[Curufin]], [[Amrod]], and [[Amras]] (see [[Sons of Fëanor]]). Nerdanel, unlike her husband, was of a peaceful nature and sought to moderate his fiery temper and pride with wisdom. For a time she was the only one able to influence him. Called "the Wise", Nerdanel refused to follow her husband to [[Middle-earth]], and apparently still lives in [[Aman]].

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She bore Fëanor seven sons: [[Maedhros]], [[Maglor]], [[Celegorm]], [[Caranthir]], [[Curufin]], [[Amrod]], and [[Amras]] (see [[Sons of Fëanor]]). Nerdanel, unlike her husband, was of a peaceful nature and sought to moderate his fiery temper and pride with wisdom. For a time she was the only one able to influence him. Called "the Wise", Nerdanel refused to follow her husband to [[Middle-earth]], and apparently still lives in [[Aman]].<ref>{{S|Feanor}}</ref>

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Nerdanel was a noted sculptor. She is said to have made statues so lifelike that people thought them real.

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Nerdanel's family is interesting as the only known Elves with red hair. Nerdanel's father Mahtan and three of her sons (Maedhros, Amrod, and Amras) are described as having a reddish brown hair and this is described as a trait "of Nerdanel's kin". Nerdanel possessed a ruddy complexion.

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On a minor note, Nerdanel's family is interesting to fans of [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien's]] Elves because they are the only attested examples of Elves with red hair. Nerdanel's father Mahtan and three of her sons (Maedhros, Amrod, and Amras) are described by Tolkien as having red hair (actually a reddish brown) and this is described as a trait "of Nerdanel's kin". Nerdanel's own hair color is never specifically stated; although it is said that she possessed a ruddy complexion and it may be assumed that Tolkien did intend for Nerdanel to have red hair.

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==Etymology==

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The name ''Nerdanel'' is given no clear meaning or etymology in the published writings of Tolkien. The original (rejected) version of her name was ''Istarnië''.<ref>{{MR|P3II5}}, p. 273</ref>

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== Genealogy ==

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Editor and linguist [[Patrick H. Wynne]] has suggested that the element ''nerd-'' in ''Nerdanel'' perhaps derives from ''nerdo'' ("large, strong man"), noting that the name "''might refer to her strength of body and mind, and her pursuits of crafts more commonly practiced by men.''" Wynne also suggests that ''Istarnië'' derives from Quenya ''[[ista-]]'' ("know"), apparently "''referring to her 'desire for knowledge'''".<ref>{{VT|47a}}, p. 33-4</ref>

Nerdanel (Q, pron. [ˈnerdanel]) was the daughter of the Noldorin smith Mahtan and the wife of Fëanor. Nerdanel was a noted sculptor. She is said to have made statues so lifelike that people thought them real.

Nerdanel's family is interesting as the only known Elves with red hair. Nerdanel's father Mahtan and three of her sons (Maedhros, Amrod, and Amras) are described as having a reddish brown hair and this is described as a trait "of Nerdanel's kin". Nerdanel possessed a ruddy complexion.

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Etymology

The name Nerdanel is given no clear meaning or etymology in the published writings of Tolkien. The original (rejected) version of her name was Istarnië.[2]

Editor and linguist Patrick H. Wynne has suggested that the element nerd- in Nerdanel perhaps derives from nerdo ("large, strong man"), noting that the name "might refer to her strength of body and mind, and her pursuits of crafts more commonly practiced by men." Wynne also suggests that Istarnië derives from Quenya ista- ("know"), apparently "referring to her 'desire for knowledge'".[3]